title: Comparison of serum specific IgE and skin prick test in polysensitized children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Skin prick test (SPT) and serum specific IgE (ssIgE) measurements are the most common methods used to diagnose allergy. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum specific-IgE in a large group of polysensitized patients with the same SPT result (such as ++++) comparing the two diagnostic methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred ninety-four children (310 males; median age 10 years) suffering from allergic rhinitis were studied. Serum specific-IgE values were measured by ImmunoCap assay. Skin prick test was also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference (p < 0.0001) among serum specific-IgE values in these polysensitized patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ss-IgE measurements in polysensitized patients seem to be more appropriate than SPT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ilnternal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino - University of Geno, Genoa, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciprandi
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Amici
authors.forename: Gianluigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marseglia
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E